Turnagain Arm Bore Tide
A wall of water rolling up one of the world's most dramatic tidal inlets
Twice daily, a rising tide forces a wall of water into Turnagain Arm — one of the world's great tidal bore inlets. Watch it from Hope/Mile 13, Bird Point, or the Seward Highway pullouts as the bore rolls in, brown with glacial silt, against a backdrop of Chugach peaks.
Frequency
~2× daily
tied to low tide
Best spot
Hope / Mile 13
south shore
Tidal range
Up to 40 ft
one of world's largest
Timing
~1.9h after Anc low
at Hope
The guide
Turnagain Arm Bore Tide
What is a bore tide
A tidal bore forms when an incoming tide is funneled into a narrowing inlet faster than it can spread out — the water piles up into a wave that moves against the current. Turnagain Arm's extreme tidal range (up to 40 feet), narrow shape, and shallow silt flats make it one of the most dramatic bore tide locations in the world.
How to see it
The bore rolls in roughly 1.5–2.5 hours after Anchorage low water, depending on your viewing spot. Hope/Mile 13 on the south shore sees it about 45 minutes before Girdwood. Bird Point and the Seward Highway pullouts (Beluga Point, Indian) also offer excellent views. Use the schedule below to plan your visit.
Hope vs the highway
The Seward Highway pullouts are convenient and well-known, but Hope/Mile 13 puts you on the south shore, away from the road noise, with a longer stretch of visible bore. It's worth the extra 45-minute drive from Anchorage for anyone who wants a quieter, more dramatic vantage.
Bore tide safety
The mudflats of Turnagain Arm are extremely dangerous — the glacially-derived silt acts like quicksand and people have died getting trapped during an incoming bore. Stay on the shore above the tide line and never walk on the exposed mudflats, even when they look solid.
Live bore tide schedule
When to go — next 10 days
Next Good+ bore: Sat, Jun 27 · Hope 3:18 PM · Girdwood 4:03 PM
Potter Marsh
MP 115 ~
Beluga Point
MP 110 ~
Hope / Mile 13
S shore
Bird Point
MP 96 ~
Girdwood Flats
MP 90
How times are calculated
Times derived from NOAA Anchorage low water (station 9455920) plus per-location offsets. Calibrated (Girdwood via girdwood.com Apr 2026 records; Hope = Girdwood − 45min). Estimated (~) (Potter, Beluga, Bird Point — interpolated from calibrated data; ±10 min additional uncertainty). All times ±15 min — wind, river flow, and snowmelt affect the actual bore. Delta row shows travel window between consecutive spots. Size: Large ≥ 29 ft · Good 27–29 ft · Small 23–27 ft · Tiny < 23 ft.
Featured partner
Advertise to bore tide visitors
This spot reaches people actively planning a bore tide trip to Turnagain Arm. Perfect for surf schools, wetsuit rental, Girdwood lodging, guided tours, or gear shops.
Inquire → [email protected]Don't miss
Highlights
Hope / Mile 13
South shore vantage — 45 min earlier than Girdwood, far fewer people.
Bird Point
The most accessible Seward Highway pullout for good bore views.
Beluga Point
Closest to Anchorage, also a spot for beluga whale sightings.
Live tide schedule
NOAA-fed timing for Hope and Girdwood — always current, size-rated.
Up to 40 ft range
One of the top five tidal ranges in the world. The bore reflects that.
Bore tide surfing
Some surfers have ridden it for miles. Viewing it is enough for most.
Know before you go
Plan your visit
Timing
Hope/Mile 13: ~1.9h after Anchorage low water. Girdwood: ~2.6h. Give yourself ±20 min.
Best size
Tidal range 27+ ft for a 'Good' bore. Range under 23 ft is usually Tiny or invisible.
Getting there — Hope
Anchorage → Seward Highway south → Hope Highway (left turn, ~56mi from Anc) → 16mi to Hope. Mile 13 is 3 miles before the end of the road, on the Arm.
Getting there — Seward Hwy
Drive south from Anchorage on the Seward Highway. Beluga Point (MP 110), Indian (MP 103), Bird Point (MP 96), and Girdwood (MP 90) all have designated pullouts.
Safety
Never walk on the mudflats. They look solid but are glacially-derived silt that acts like quicksand — people have died. Stay on the gravel above the tideline.
Viewing spots & safety
Hope / Mile 13
South shore quiet — the best unobstructed bore tide view, 45 min ahead of Girdwood
Bird Point (MP 96)
The best Seward Highway pullout — wide views, parking, and minimal trail to the shore
Beluga Point (MP 110)
Closest to Anchorage — also one of the best spots to see Cook Inlet belugas
Girdwood Flats (MP 90)
The most-watched bore tide location — pullouts #4 and #5, classic Seward Highway vantage
Bore Tide Surfing Safety
What you need to know before you paddle out — gear, training, and the risks most people underestimate
Plan around it
Events near Turnagain Arm
Plan your trip
Tours & things to do
Things to Do in Alaska
Tours, adventures & once-in-a-lifetime experiences
Denali National Park Day Tour
$299+Full-day tour to Denali with wildlife spotting, mountain views, and a guided nature walk.
Glacier & Wildlife Cruise
$179+Cruise Prince William Sound to see glaciers calving, whales, sea otters, and bald eagles.
Alaska Railroad Scenic Train
$149+Ride the Alaska Railroad through mountain passes with panoramic dome car views.
Flightseeing Tour: Glaciers & Denali
$299+Small-plane flight over glaciers, Ruth Gorge, and Denali's south face.
Local partners
Where to eat & stay
Good to know
Turnagain Arm Bore Tide FAQ
What is the Turnagain Arm bore tide?
A tidal bore — a wall of water that forms when the incoming tide is funneled into the narrow, shallow Turnagain Arm faster than it can spread. Anchorage's extreme tidal range (up to 40 feet) makes it one of the world's most dramatic bores.
When is the best time to see the bore tide?
When the tidal range exceeds 25 feet — the bigger the range, the bigger the bore. Check the live schedule above for upcoming times and size ratings at Hope/Mile 13 and Girdwood.
Where is the best place to watch the bore tide?
Hope/Mile 13 on the south shore of Turnagain Arm for a quiet, unobstructed view. Bird Point (MP 96 Seward Hwy) and Beluga Point (MP 110) are the best Seward Highway pullouts. All three have separate timing — check the schedule.
How do I time the bore tide?
The bore arrives approximately 1.9 hours after Anchorage low water at Hope/Mile 13, and 2.6 hours after at Girdwood. Our live schedule pulls NOAA tide predictions from Anchorage station 9455920 and applies these calibrated offsets. Give yourself ±20 minutes buffer.
Is the bore tide dangerous?
Viewing from shore is safe. The danger is the mudflats — Turnagain Arm's glacial silt acts like quicksand and has trapped and killed visitors who ventured onto the exposed flats before the bore arrived. Stay on solid ground above the waterline.
Can I surf the bore tide?
Bore tide surfing has been attempted on Turnagain Arm — some surfers have ridden it for miles. It requires local knowledge, a drysuit, and serious whitewater/surf experience. Not a spectator activity.
Does the bore tide happen every day?
Yes — roughly twice per day tied to the tidal cycle. But the size varies enormously. A 15-foot tidal range produces barely a ripple; a 28+ foot range produces the dramatic wall of water worth driving for. Our schedule shows size ratings so you can pick the best days.
What creates the tidal range at Turnagain Arm?
The shape of Cook Inlet acts like a funnel — as tidal energy from the Gulf of Alaska moves north, it concentrates into the narrowing inlet, amplifying the range. Turnagain Arm, the narrowest and most funnel-like branch, gets the most extreme ranges. The record is over 40 feet.
Is Hope accessible year-round?
Yes — the Hope Highway is a paved road open year-round, though winter driving requires appropriate tires and awareness of avalanche zones on the Seward Highway approach. The bore tide occurs in all seasons; summer offers longer viewing windows.
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